Blackberry Filling
Whether you wanna use it as a cake filling, pie filling, or an ice cream topper, this simple, easy recipe for blackberry filling is a great way to make many different desserts. And, it takes no more than five minutes to prepare with fresh or frozen blackberries.
When blackberries are in season, you must make blackberry-inspired desserts. Right? Well, we do have them in the season, but more expensive than I would like. I still use some frozen blackberries with the fresh ones when necessary. For example, if I’m making a blackberry tart, I use frozen blackberries for the filling and fresh blackberries for the top and garnish.
Why make homemade fruit fillings
- A fruit-filling recipe is so versatile. Of course, it is delicious on its own, but you can also use it as a filling for cakes, pies, tarts, desserts, cheesecakes, pastry, etc. (more on that below)
- Homemade fruit fillings are less sweet, fruitier, and, unlike commercial fruit fillings, are not loaded with sugar, flavorings, and additives
- The best part is that it takes just 5 to 7 minutes to make it. And, it has a shelf life of up to 4 days in the fridge. Leftovers can be kept in the fridge for months.
- The list of ingredients is just 4: fruit, lemon juice, sugar, cornstarch, and water.
- And, there is so much more you can do with fruit fillings apart from using it as a filling for cakes, pies, tarts, and pastries, desserts, cheesecakes, pastry, etc. (more on that below)- try it over pancakes, waffles, French toasts.
Ingredients and substitutes
- Fresh or frozen fruit – You can definitely use either. Fresh berries aren’t always available for me. So, frozen is often my best option. I prefer to use frozen fruit, as it breaks down nicely, giving you that melt-in-the-mouth texture and mouthfeel. If you notice, unlike most other recipes that call for mashing the fruit up, I prefer to leave them whole, so they look like a berry in the desert. That mouthful of fruit when you bite into a dessert is decadent on its own.
- Cornstarch – I think this is by far the most commonly used and preferred ingredient. But if, for some reason, you cannot use cornstarch, try arrowroot powder or potato starch. I have used both on two different occasions – not much different.
- Sugar – I prefer to use a fine-grain sugar for this, so I get a nice thick syrup consistency. If the berries are sweet, I use less sugar than the recipe calls for. If the berries are not as sweet, you may need to add more. The sweetness here depends on the quality of the berries.
- Lemon Juice – Helps cut the sweetness and brings out the flavor so much more.
Blackberry cake filling
- In a saucepan, over medium heat, add the blackberries, salt, sugar, lemon juice, and 1/4 cup of water. Cook on low to medium heat until all the sugar has dissolved. Use a vegetable masher to mash some of the fruit.
Pro tip – Mashing will give the topping a nice, thicker consistency, but make sure to leave some blackberries whole. - Combine the remaining water with cornstarch. Add it to the blackberries. Continue to cook on low heat until the filling is thick and glossy. Remove and let cool for a while.
Pro tip – Cornstarch can settle to the bottom of the water. So, you must stir it just before adding it to the saucepan.
- At this point, you can strain the seeds by simply pouring the filling through a sieve. Or leave it fruity and chunky just as I have here.
- Remove and pour into a mason jar. Let cool completely or use as directed in your recipe.
Pro tip – The filling will thicken as it cools, so keep that in mind when you take it off the heat.
Tips for success
- You can use fresh or frozen fruits. Make sure to check if the fruits are sweetened and adjust the sweetness accordingly.
- Also, if the fruits are frozen, you may need a little less water. You can omit the additional water and add only sugar, lemon juice, and salt. Once the sugar dissolves, adjust the water if necessary.
- Use fine-grain white sugar so it dissolves easily and does not affect the color of the filling. For example, brown sugar can give a very dull red color.
- Overcooking the fruit filling causes the cornstarch to become lumpy. If that happens, just add a little water and cook until it reaches the right consistency.
- This filling will stay in the fridge for a week, but can be frozen in the fridge for up to 3 months.
- This batch would be enough cake filling for 2 x 8-inch cake layers, a tart filling for one 9-inch tart, and dessert servings with a 9-inch cheesecake.
- You can use this same recipe to make any other fruit filling, such as blueberry, strawberry, raspberry, mango, cherry, etc.
How to use blackberry filling?
- Cake filling – You can use fruit filling instead of jam filling in cakes between layers of cake with a buttercream frosting dam and more fresh fruits. See how to fill and frost cakes. Fruit fillings are especially delicious with whipped cream or cream cheese frosting.
- Cake sides – I love to serve it on the side of my vanilla or chocolate pound or bundt cakes.
- Pie filling – Spread it on a prebaked shortcrust pastry shell with vanilla pastry cream as a base, and also top it with whipped cream.
- Tart filling – line a tart pan with rich shortcrust pastry, pour in the cool raspberry filling, and top with a lattice crust. Bake until golden.
- Deserts – A fruit filling can take any dessert to the next level. Serve it with pound cake. Top it over your favorite New York cheesecake or mini raspberry cheesecakes.
- Pastry – bake it in puff pastry or Danish pastry dough over pastry cream or cream cheese filling, similar to this strawberry braided pastry, blackberry braided pastry, or Danish pastry rolls.
More blackberry recipes
Frequently asked questions
How long does blackberry filling last in the fridge?
This filling can be kept at room temperature for up to two days. And it will last in the fridge for up to 4 or 5 days. It can also be frozen for over a month. Always keep filling recipes well wrapped to prevent drying out.
Does a cake with blackberry filling need to be refrigerated?
All fresh fruits are considered perishable. So yes, a cake with the blackberry filling will need to be kept in the fridge.
Can I use frozen blackberries to make blackberry filling?
Absolutely, I use fresh when in season. And yet, I have to use frozen during the rest of the year. Also, the frozen ones tend to be more affordable and work best for cake and pie fillings. In addition, frozen blackberries become soft and mushy, so if you want the filling to be chunky, cook it for less time once the sugar is melted. And it will be as good as fresh blackberry filling.
How much blackberry filling do I need for a blackberry tart?
You will need twice (double batch) this recipe for a blackberry pie/tart. And you can use fresh or frozen blackberries. If you have fresh, save some for garnish.
What cake flavors work best with blackberry cake filling?
A filling works great on a simple vanilla cake or chocolate cake. Also, try my vanilla cream cake or simple moist chocolate cake.
How to fill a cake with fruit fillings?
I have a detailed video and progress pictures showing how to level, tort, and fill a cake. The process is simple
– Bake your favorite cake batter in the right-sized cake pans.
– Cool cake layers, then level or torte them using a serrated knife.
– Brush the cake with simple syrup using a pastry brush.
– Pipe a buttercream frosting dam around the edge of the cake.
– Fill the center with the fruit filling, e.g., blackberry filling
– Top with the next cake layer.
– Continue with the dam and filling until you have used all cake layers.
– Chill the cake for 15 minutes, then frost the top and sides
The BEST Blackberry Filling
Whether you wanna use it as a cake filling, pie filling, or as an ice cream topper this simple, easy recipe for blackberry filling is a great way to make many different desserts and takes no more than five minutes to prepare with fresh or frozen blackberries.
Video
Ingredients
- 7 oz (200 grams) Blackberries
- ½ cup (120 ml) White Sugar
- 1 tbsp Cornstarch
- 1 tsp Lemon Juice
- ⅓ cup (80 ml) Water (see notes below)
- ¼ tsp Salt
Method
- In a saucepan, over medium heat, add the blackberries, sugar, salt, lemon juice, and 1/4 cup of water. Cook on low to medium heat until all the sugar has dissolved. Use a vegetable masher to mash some of the fruit. Pro tip – Mashing will add a nice thicker consistency to the topping but make sure to leave some blackberries whole.7 oz Blackberries, ½ cup White Sugar, ¼ tsp Salt, 1 tsp Lemon Juice
- Combine the remaining water with cornstarch. Add it to the blackberries. Continue to cook on low heat until the filling is thick and glossy. Remove and let cool for a while. Pro tip – Cornstarch can settle to the bottom of the water. So, you must stir it just before adding it to the saucepan.1 tbsp Cornstarch , ⅓ cup Water
- At this point, you can strain the seeds by simply pouring the filling thru a sieve. Or leave it fruity and chunky just as I have here.
- Remove and pour into a mason jar. Let cool completely or use as directed in your recipe.Pro tip – The filling will thicken as it cools so keep that in mind when you take it off the heat.
Notes
- You can use fresh or frozen fruits. Make sure to check if the fruits are sweetened and adjust sweetness accordingly.
- Also, if the fruits are frozen you may need a little less water. You can omit the additional water and add only sugar, lemon juice, and salt. Once the sugar dissolves adjust water if necessary.
- Use fine-grain white sugar so it dissolves easily and does not affect the color of the filling. For example, brown sugar can give a very dull red color.
- Overcooking the fruit filling causes the cornstarch to become lumpy. If that happens just add a little water and cook to the right consistency.
- This filling will stay in the fridge for a week but can be frozen in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- This batch would be enough a
- cake filling for 2 x 8-inch cake layers,
- a tart filling for one 9-inch tart, and
- dessert servings with a 9-inch cheesecake.
- You can use this same recipe to make any other fruit filling such as blueberry, blackberry, raspberry, mango, cherry, etc.
- Doubling the recipe – If you double the amount do not double the amount of water and cornstarch. You can add 1/2 cup water with 1 tbsp of cornstarch for up to 500 grams / 15 oz of fruit. Otherwise, it takes longer to reduce the water.
- The cornstarch needs to be activated for the filling to thicken up. Otherwise, it will be very syrupy with a starchy taste.
- If the filling is too thick means the water is reduced considerably, you can add a little more to bring it to consistency. Add regular water when still hot or warm water when the filling has cooled.
- When cooled, if the filling is too thick, first give it a good mix, only then add a few tablespoons of water as necessary.
- If used to fill a cake, make sure to fruit filling make so to make a frosting dam around the edges of the cake. This will prevent the filling from coming out of the sides of the cake. See my video, how to level, fill, torte a cake
Equipment you will need
Nutrition
Tried this recipe?
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If I want to make this seedless how would I go about doing that without messing up the consistency?
Oh, it’s simple. Blend the blueberries before you make the filling. Strain to get a nice, smooth consistency.
I only had 6oz of fresh blackberries so used only 1/4 cup sugar. It firmed up so well. I used it on top of a crushed vanilla crust and poured a lime cheesecake over and then baked. I will make another batch to put on top of the cheesecake. It is so good and not too sweet. Thank you!
Sounds delicious, Lorraine.
At which point do I add the salt? You have it listed the ingredients, but you don’t add it in your instructions or your video.
You can add the salt with the fruit itself, Julia. Thanks
I followed the directions exactly with fresh blackberries and it barely thickened at all, even after cooling. It’s far too runny to put in a cake.
Shelby, it is very important that you cook until the cornstarch thickens. It may take a few minutes but it must become a shiny thick consistency. You can add more cornstarch but that only makes the filling very starchy so I find this amount is just right. You can put it back on the stovetop and thicken it some more. Thanks
I had the same problem. Even tried it a second time with less water and no luck. I cooked both batches for at least 30mins if not longer on low heat hoping it would thicken up
Ladies, 1 tbsp of cornstarch is plenty for this amount of fruit. You can add more cornstarch slurry it will become thick but with a starchy taste.
Cook on high for a few minutes to let the starch thicken and excess moisture evaporate.
Thanks
I would never put that much water in my filling again. It never did thicken up and it’s way too juicy. I’ve made perfect cherry filling before. Next time I’ll stick with that recipe. I’ve turned 9 cups of blackberries into ice cream topping, basically.
I am sorry to hear that and you are right Crystal.
The water should have been reduced as mentioned in the notes below. You can add 1/2 cup water and 1 tbsp of cornstarch for up to 15 oz of fruit.
Additionally, if you have doubled the water and cornstarch the filling should be very thick not so liquidity. I think you may need to cook it down a little more to make it thicker and more importantly for the cornstarch to activate. Otherwise it can taste very starchy.
Please read my notes at the bottom of the recipe for more details. Thanks
Any recipe using fruit will need to be tweaked depending on the sweetness of the fruit. This is a great beginning..
thanks!
Followed the recipe exactly. Came out so delicious & took virtually no time! Thanks for the recipe. 🙂
You are welcome, Mira. Thank you for the feedback
This was a lovely recipe! And, the ratios are easy to remember and adjust as needed.
I quadrupled the recipe since I had an entire flat of berries. The berries were very plump and juicy but not very flavorful. So, I had to add much more lemon juice and a bit more cornstarch since the berries lent their excess juice to the mixture.
I will continue to use this recipe for my future blackberry pies.
Thank you, Dianne. yes, the recipe is very customizable. Glad you found this recipe useful.One thing to take note of with cornstarch it can make fillings very starchy. Thanks for coming back to write this feedback.
I made this. It’s not tasty. Too much lemon/salt. Not sweet like the berries we just picked. Sigh. Good thing we have lots of berries, I’ll try again w diff recipe.
Oh, I’m so sorry to hear that cupcake.
That’s weird though, my kids eat it by the spoon because its sweet. Sounds like the berries you had were not so sweet after all because this blueberry filling is actually a pretty standard recipe. Sweet berries with more sugar and a thickening agent.
Thanks for the feedback, I hope you find a recipe that works for you. Have a great day.